Retaining wall



Dec. 8, 1936.' s. RAvll-:R`

RETAINING WALL Filed sept. e, 1952 l. Innim l Patented Dec. 8, 1936UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEv Application September 6, 1932, Serial No.631,924

In France September 11, 1931 3 Claims.

My present invention has for its object to provide certain new anduseful improvements in retaining walls, which may be used either forretaining dry earth or for constructing river 5 embankments or harborquay walls.

One of the primary objects of my invention is to improve the stability,resistance and economy of walls of the type mentioned.

Broadly stated, my improvements consist in constructing the wall bymeans of a series of transverse pillars or other similar supportingmeans, the top of which supports a platform or arches, a short head-walland if desired a rear retaining wall, and retaining on a certain heightthe foot of the natural slope formed between said pillars by means of asupplemental wall arranged between the pillars at the bottom and at thefront side thereof.

My invention may be carried into effect, as

hereinafter described, by means of various processes, viz: the processof superimposing blocks, the process of pouring concrete in the desiredposition and if required under water, the process of sinking caissons ofsuitable shape (either by the inside dredging or compressed airoperation), by means of piles or planks made of reinforced concrete, andthe like.

Besides the primary arrangement, my invention comprises otherarrangements described hereinafter by way of example, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section on line VII- VII of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is an elevation and Fig. 3 shows disconnected blocks in section,the section being on the broken line IX--IX of Fig. 2 showing a thirdform of wall.

According to the drawing the retaining wall is constructed by means oflarge hollow blocks,

4o lower, intermediate andupper caissons of the shapes BI-BZ-BS--SSrespectively will be sunk successively.

If desired I may use a single caisson made at the different heights ofal1 or several successive 4,5 sections.

In order to enable the caisson 63 to be sunk after the lower parts madeof the sections 6 I-SZ have been driven into the ground, I may forinstance extend the compartments 6ft and 65 of said caissons by means oftemporary metallic extensions l0, l l, which will be Withdrawn when 5the piles are completed and again used for sinking other piles.

Cross members or partitions 66 may be formed if desired forstrengthening the caissons.

The faces 6l shown as being parallel to the 10 front side may be alittle oblique if desired.

The corners 68 may be chamfered if desired.

Having now fully described my said invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is: 15

1. In a retaining wall construction, the combination of a series oftransverse pillars, a platform supported on said pillars, retainingslabs of limited height at the top and rear of said pillars, and spacingmeans freely connecting the 20 pillars at their foot and constituting aretaining Wall or partition for the foot of the natural slope formedbetween said pillars.

2. In a retaining wall construction, the combination with a series oftransverse pillars, a 2- platform supported on said pillars, retainingslabs of limited height at the top and rear of said pillars, and spacingmeans between the lower parts of the successive pillars, said spacingmeans being made in two parts, one part inte- 30 gral with one pillarand the other part integral With the other pillar and constituting aretaining Wall or partition for the foot of the natural slope formedbetween the pillars.

3. In a retaining wall construction, the combination of a series oftransverse pillars, a platform supported on said pillars, retainingwalls of limited height at the top and rear of said pillars, and spacingmeans between the lower parts of said successive pillars, said spacingmeans being of unitary construction and constituting a retaining wall orpartition for the foot of the natural slope formed between the pillars.

SYLVAIN LOUIS RAVIER.

